Graham King needs some theoretical car buying advice.
In a parallel universe somewhere, I have £30k-£40k to spend on a daily-driver sportscar. I want a manual gearbox, a 0-60mph time of five seconds or less and powerslides on demand. The choice is mind-boggling. Where would your money go?
Engine: 4282cc V8 Power: 380bhp 0-60mph: 4.9secs Top speed: 175mph
Pros
Gorgeous outside and in.
Sublime handling.
Surprisingly practical.
It’s an Aston.
Cons
Doesn’t feel all that fast.
Very wide.
Bit of a WAG’s car.
Useless sat nav.
Cons
Doesn’t feel all that fast.
Very wide.
Bit of a WAG’s car.
Useless sat nav.
Engine: 4163cc V8 Power: 414bhp 0-60mph: 4.5secs Top speed: 187mph
Pros
Four-wheel-drive security.
Very comfortable and refined.
It’ll never break.
Open-gated gearlever.
Cons
A lot of tastelessly modified ones about.
Spec can be a bit stingy.
Gigantic blind spots.
Do you really want an Audi?
Open-gated gearlever.
Cons
A lot of tastelessly modified ones about.
Spec can be a bit stingy.
Gigantic blind spots.
Do you really want an Audi?
Engine: 3999cc V8 Power: 414bhp 0-60mph: 4.6secs Top speed: 155mph
Pros
Gloriously driftable chassis.
Searing engine and slick gearbox.
Your mates can come along.
With their luggage.
Cons
Limited top speed.
Rather plain styling and interior.
Can be hard work on long journeys.
Would cost a lot in rear tyres.
Cons
Limited top speed.
Rather plain styling and interior.
Can be hard work on long journeys.
Would cost a lot in rear tyres.
Engine: 3179cc V6 Power: 276bhp 0-60mph: 5.5secs Top speed: 170mph
Pros
Masterpiece of an engine.
Senna-tuned handling.
Unburstable reliability.
Telling people you drive a Honda.
Cons
Least quick of this group.
Terrible interior.
20-odd year-old design.
Ride quality.
Telling people you drive a Honda.
Cons
Least quick of this group.
Terrible interior.
20-odd year-old design.
Ride quality.
Engine: 3456cc V6 Power: 276bhp 0-60mph: 4.8secs Top speed: 163mph
Pros
Trademark epic handling.
Great ride.
Toyota engine should be reliable.
It might do 30mpg.
Cons
Not much space.
Questionable build quality.
Nasty aftermarket entertainment system.
Styling not all that exciting.
Cons
Not much space.
Questionable build quality.
Nasty aftermarket entertainment system.
Styling not all that exciting.
Engine: 4398cc V8 Power: 333bhp 0-60mph: 4.4secs Top speed: 160mph
Pros
Seriously quick.
Wonderful craftsmanship.
Massive charisma.
You’ll feel like Biggles.
Cons
Challenging styling.
Ludicrously hard ride.
Tiny boot.
You’ll spend a lot of time defending yourself.
Cons
Challenging styling.
Ludicrously hard ride.
Tiny boot.
You’ll spend a lot of time defending yourself.
Engine: 2967cc V6 Power: 352bhp 0-60mph: 3.7secs Top speed: 170mph
Pros
Extremely quick.
Telepathic handling.
Surprisingly comfortable.
Wastegate woosh.
Cons
Not even slightly practical.
Where would you get parts?
“Doesn’t it have a Mondeo engine?”
Perhaps too racy for everyday use.
Cons
Not even slightly practical.
Where would you get parts?
“Doesn’t it have a Mondeo engine?”
Perhaps too racy for everyday use.
Engine: 3824cc F6 Power: 350bhp 0-60mph: 4.6secs Top speed: 182mph
Pros
It’s a 911.
Fantastic ride, handling, performance.
Everyday usability.
The best all-rounder of this group?
Cons
It’s a 911.
Do you really trust the handling?
Spec-sensitive.
Too much bullshit spouted about it.
The best all-rounder of this group?
Cons
It’s a 911.
Do you really trust the handling?
Spec-sensitive.
Too much bullshit spouted about it.
So that’s the choice. Personally, it would be a toss-up between Aston, Audi and Honda. But which would you buy? Comment or tweet to let us know your thoughts.
Incidentally, though I buy into the ‘many worlds’ theory that suggests there’s an infinite number of universes with an infinite number of Grahams, living an infinite number of different lives, it brings up one crucial question. If it’s true, why am I stuck in this universe, not the one where I have an eleven figure bank balance and I’m married to Mila Kunis?
Article by Graham King
